Forcible entry training door system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for training the art of forcible door entry for emergency personnel such as firefighters and, in particular, a reusable forcible entry door training prop adapted to simulate a locked door and allow individuals to conduct training in forcible entry techniques for different door types and mounting configurations (e.g., opening inward or outward, left hand opening or right band opening, steel jam or wood jams).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/040,213, filed on Mar. 3, 2011, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/311,775, filed on Mar. 9,2010, the disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for training theart of forcible door entry for emergency personnel such as firefightersand, in particular, a reusable forcible entry door training prop adaptedto simulate a locked door and allow individuals to conduct training inforcible entry techniques for different door types and mountingconfigurations (e.g., opening inward or outward, left hand opening orright hand opening, steel jam or wood jams).

BACKGROUND

In emergency situations, police, firefighters, and other firstresponders may need to forcibly enter a building or dwelling to gainaccess in order to save lives. One common method of forcible entryinvolves forcibly opening a locked door. To master the skill of forcibledoor entry, one should have a basic knowledge of the types and doors andsecurity devices that may be encountered, as well as knowledge trainingin the types of tools that may be used for forcible door entry.

Emergency Services typically rely on a number of different devices toforce entry to a building or vehicle. Prying tools, such as “Halligan”tools arid crowbars are common tools used to breach doors and windows. AHalligan is a special tool commonly used by firefighters for prying,twisting, punching, or striking. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates aconventional “Halligan” tool that is commonly used by firefighters forforcible door entry. The tool (10) includes a claw (or fork) (11) ablade (wedge) (12) (what is commonly referred to as an ADZ end), and atapered pick (13), which is especially useful in quickly forcing openmany types of locked doors. Either the ADZ end or fork end of the toolcan be used to break through the latch of a swinging door by forcing thetool between the door and doorjamb and prying the two apart, striking itwith a flat-head axe, for example.

To know how to correctly and efficiently open a locked door in anemergency using a Halligan tool for instance, a person needs to betrained and then to perfect the knowledge by practice. In particular,knowledge of the type of door and its components is important to allowproper placement and use of a forcible entry tool such as a Halligantool. For instance, the direction of the door opening (inward openingand outward) and the type and material composition of the door frame(wood, metal) are important factors in the manner in which forcibleentry of a locked door is conducted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include portable and reusableforcible entry door training props adapted to simulate a locked door andallow individuals to conduct training in forcible entry techniques fordifferent door types and mounting configurations (e.g., opening inwardor outward, left hand opening or right band opening, steel jam or woodjams).

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a forcible entry doortraining apparatus includes a base plate, a door frame mounted to thebase plate, the door frame comprising a first side jamb, a second sidejamb and a header jamb coupled between upper ends of the first andsecond side jambs, a door having a first side edge and a second sideedge, and. a plurality of hinges attaching the first side edge of thedoor to the first side jamb of the door frame for hingedly mounting thedoor within the door frame. The hinges are mounted to the first sidejamb for slidable motion to and way from an. inner surface of the firstside jamb and wherein the hinges include springs that bias the slidablehinges away from the inner surface of the first side jamb and whichresist compression with sufficient force to simulate forces that areencountered when attempting to wedge a pry tool between the second sideedge of the door and the second side jamb.

In one embodiment, the hinges are U-shaped brackets comprising a frontplate that is disposed adjacent the inner surface of the first sidejamb, and side plates that are disposed on each side of the first sidejamb. The side plates of the U-shaped brackets are slidably disposedbetween guide rails on the side surfaces of the first side jamb.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the hinges are adaptedto hingedly mount at least two doors within the door frame.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a forcible entrydoor training further includes a removable jamb plate including a doorstop attached to the second side jamb. The removable jamb plate isadjustable to change a spacing between the second side edge of the doorand the jamb plate.

In another exemplary embodiment, the forcible entry door trainingapparatus farther includes a first retaining bracket disposed on thedoor and a second retaining bracket disposed on the second side jamb,aligned to the first retaining bracket, wherein the first and secondretaining brackets insertably receive an elongated resistance member tosimulate resistive forces of a locking device to keep the door fromopening. An elongated resistance member can be extended through thefirst and second retaining brackets. The elongated resistance member maybe a length of wood.

These and other exemplary embodiments, aspects, features and advantages,of the present invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of exemplary embodiments, that is to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional Halligan forcible entry tool.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of components of aforcible entry door training apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A, 38, 3C and 3D are schematic plane views of a forcible entrydoor training apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are schematic views of spring-loaded hingesystems according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C schematically illustrate an exemplary mode ofoperation of a forcible entry door training apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plane view of a forcible entry door trainingapparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of components of a forcible entrydoor training apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of reusable forcible entry training devices whichare adapted to simulate a locked door and allow individuals to conducttraining in forcible entry techniques, will now be discussed in furtherdetail with initial reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A-3D. FIGS. 2A and 2Baxe schematic perspective views of a frame structure and door,respectively, of an exemplary training device (100). As shown in FIG.2A, an exemplary forcible entry training device (100) includes a baseplate (101) and a frame structure (102) mounted to the base plate (101).The frame (102) comprises a first side jamb (103) (or door stop jamb), aheader jamb (104), and a second side jamb (105) (or hinge jamb), whereinthe header jamb (104) is coupled between upper ends of the first andsecond side jambs (103) and (105). The bottom of the side jambs (103)and (105) are removably mounted to the base (101) by mounting elements(106). The various frame elements are preferably made of steel or othersuitable material, wherein the side jambs are preferably made of tubularsteel.

FIG. 2B illustrates a first removable door (140) that may be mounted tothe frame (102). FIG. 3A is a schematic front plane view of theexemplary training device (100) showing a second removable door (150)mounted to the frame (102). FIG. 3B is a schematic side view taken alongline 3B-3B in FIG. 3A showing an inner side surface of the door stopjamb (103). FIG. 3C is a schematic side view taken along line 3C-3C inFIG. 3A showing an outside surface of the hinge jamb (105) and FIG. 3Dis a schematic top view taken along line 3D-3D in FIG. 3A showing firstand second doors (140) and (150) mounted between the jambs (105) and(103).

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3D collectively, the frame (102)includes various components including a removable jamb plate (120)including a door stop (121), a wood block (108) that is removablydisposed in a recessed portion (107) of the door stop jamb (103), aplurality of spring-loaded hinges (110 a) that are slideably mounted onthe hinge jamb (105) within a channel formed by retaining rails (109), aplurality of retaining brackets (130) and (131) that are disposed onopposing sides of the door stop jamb (103).

The doors (140) and (150) include door hinge members (110 b) thatmateabley connect to the hinges (110 a) mounted on the hinge jamb (105)of the frame (102). The doors (140) and (150) can be made of steel orwood. The doors (140) and (150) may include respective thin steel plates(141) and (151) that wrap around the front, side and back portions ofthe door to provided added strength and protection and structuralintegrity. The doors (140) and (150) include respective retainingbrackets (142) and (152) fixedly disposed on outside surfaces thereofand the retaining brackets (142) and (152) are welded to the plates(141) and (151).

As depicted in FIG. 3D, for example, the retaining brackets (142) and(152) are disposed in alignment with respective retaining brackets (130)and (131) on door stop jamb (103) and each having separate innerchannels (142A, 142B) and (152A, 152B) that are aligned to with separateinner channels (130A, 130B) and (131A, 131B) of brackets (130) and(131). As discussed in further detail below, the retaining brackets(130), (142) and (131), (152) are employed to insertably receiveresistance bars (e.g., a 1×2 length of wood furring strip or 2×3 studs)that are inserted through the channels to simulate a locking device tokeep the door from opening and and simulate the resistive forces thatare encountered when trying to force open a locked door by breaking alock or driving the lock (e.g., deadbolt) off the door.

FIGS. 4A-4D are different schematic views of a spring loaded hingesystem (110A and 110B) according to an embodiment of the invention. Asshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the door hinge and jamb hinge elements (110A)and (110B) are pivotally connected to each other using a pin (110 c) asin conventional pin hinge systems. As depicted in FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D,the spring loaded hinge system (110 a) includes a U-shaped bracketcomprising a front plate (111) and side plates (112), which wraps aroundthe three sides of the hinge jamb (105). A plurality of bolts (116) areconnected to the front plate (111) and pass through apertures formed inthe jamb (105), while the side plates (112) are disposed on the sides ofthe jamb (105) between guide rails (109). A plurality of spring elements(115) are disposed around the portions of the bolts between the faceplate (111) of the hinge and the inner surface (105 a) of the hinge jamb(105). The ends of mounting bolts (116) that protrude past the backsurface (105 b) include nuts that hold the ends of the bolts (116) fromrecessing back inwards due to the spring force of springs (115).

Overall, the exemplary training device (100) can be used to simulateforcible entry of a locked door which can be simulated as opening inwardor outward, left hand opening or right band opening, steel jam or woodjam. All these factors of a door determine the method of forcible entryused by the firefighter encountering the door to be forced. Inparticular, FIG. 3D illustrates the use of a spring-loaded hinge systemthat connects a pair of doors (140) and (150) to the spring loaded hingeside door jamb so that the training prop provides the option of forcingboth right and left hand opening doors.

For example, the door (140) can be used to simulate training of forcibleentry on a right hand inward opening door or a left hand outward openingdoor with a metal or wood jamb. The door (150) can be used to simulatetraining of forcible entry on a left hand inward opening door or a righthand outward opening door with a metal or wood jamb. The removable jambplate (120) with the door stop (121) allows forcible entry trainingusing the ADZ end or fork end of a halligan tool for example, in anaround the door stop and between the door and frame to force open thedoor. The jamb plate (120) with the door stop (121) can be maderemovable to allow it to be readily changed with a new jamb plate ininstances where, for example, the door stop (121) of the jamb plate(120) become damaged from extended use over time.

The wood block (108) disposed in a recessed portion (107) of the doorstop jamb (103) can be used for simulated training of forcible entry ona left hand inward opening door (150) with a wood jamb using the spikeend of a Halligan tool, as well as simulated training of forcible entryon a right hand inward opening door (140) with a wood jamb using a spikeend of a Halligan tool. With this procedure, the Pike (13) of thehalligan tool (10) (FIG. 1) is forcibly driven into the wood block (108)by taking a “baseball bat swing” or driving the Pike into the wood block(108) using an axe or maul. The halligan tool (10) is then pushed to thedoor, and the ADZ end pushes against the door to gap the door or forceit open.

Although the frame members of the training prop are made of steel, thewood block (108) simulates a wood door frame to allow forcible entrytraining with wood frames. As the wood block (108) becomes damaged overtime, it may be replaced with a new wood block. The wood block (108) maybe made from pieces of plywood that are stacked to provide a sufficientthickness to bury the pike end. As shown in FIG. 3B, the recess (107) inwhich the wood block (108) can be inserted has a large aperture (107A)to allow room for the pike end to be buried deep in the wood block (108)without hitting the metal frame (103). The wood block (108) can bebolted in the recess (107) using bolts that extend through the woodblock (108) and through apertures (107 b) formed in back plate portionof the recessed (107) and the outer face of the jamb (103).

The spring loaded hinge system (110 a, 110 b) allows provide a springloaded action which compresses with sufficient resistance when forcingthe door away from the stop jamb (103) towards the hinge jamb (105) whensimulating forcible entry using a Halligan tool for instance. In thisprocess, the forces that are encountered are simulated by the springloaded compressive forces of the hinge system (110 a, 110 b) and by theresistance forces generated by the resistance bars.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a method of use of the forcible entrytraining door according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Inparticular, FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a method of use of theforcible entry training door to simulate forcible entry on a right handinward opening door with a metal jamb according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5A, a resistance bar (200)(e.g., a 1×2 length of wood furring strip) is inserted through channel130A and 142A of respective retaining brackets (130) and (142). In aninitial step the method of forcing an inward operating door (140) maybegin with using the ADZ end of a Halligan tool to “gap” the door andcreate a “purchase” between the stop (12l) and the door (140). With thisprocess, an individual would forcibly insert the ADZ end of the Halligantool between the edge of the door (140) and the door stop (121) and theindividual would push up or down on the Halligan bar causing the ADZ endto rotate and crease the door which, in the Prop, would create a gapbetween the door (140) and the stop (121), but which in reality wouldbend the door edge or stop and create a purchase. In this process, theresistance bar (200) simulates the resistance that would be encounteredwith a locked door.

FIG. 5B illustrates a next step in a method of forcing the inwardopening door (140) using the fork end (11) of the Halligan tool to forcethe fork end of the Halligan tool through to the opposing side of thedoor. In this process, the Halligan tool is set by placing the bevel ofthe fork (11) against the door (140) and driving the fork end (11) inusing an axe or maul. This involves working the fork end (11) of theHalligan tool into the gap to spread the edge of the door (140) awayfront the frame jamb (103). As the door (140) moves away from the jamb(103), the hinge springs are compressed to decrease the initial gap G1to the smaller gap G2 to absorb the increased gap between door (140) andjamb (103). The Halligan Tool is considered set when the fork is lockedin to the inside of the doorframe. In this process, the forces that areencountered are simulated by the spring loaded compressive forces of thehinge system (110 a, 110 b) and by the resistance forces generated bythe resistance bar (200).

Next as depicted in FIG. 5C, once set, force is applied to the halligantool in the direction indicated by the arrow to create leverage againstthe door (140) and flex the door. In this process, the spreading forceis absorbed by the spring loaded hinges, which create resistance forceto simulate the forces that are applied during setting and forcing ofthe door using the Halligan tool, while avoiding damaging, creasing orbending of the door or frame. Moreover, as the halligan tool is forcedto the door (140), the resistance bar (200) starts to bend andeventually cause a break (201) in the bar. The resistance bar (200)simulates the resistance encountered when forcing the door to break alock.

In other embodiments, when wood studs are not used for simulatingresistive forces of locked doors, a bungee cord (or heavy rubber strip)may be used to apply enough resistive force to maintain the door fromswinging open while a person trains on “gapping” the door for variousmethods of forced entry.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plane view of a forcible entry door trainingapparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. InFIG. 6, the door (150) in FIG. 3A is modified to include a protectivethin steel plate (153) on the hinge side portion of the door (150) and areinforcing bar (154), which provide added strength and protection andstructural integrity to the door (150).

In particular, the steel plate (153) can be disposed on the lace of thedoor (150) in an area that may be hit by the end of a halligan tool whenforcing the tool to the door during training of forcible entry for aright handed outward opening door. A similar steel plate can be disposedon the opposite side of the door (150) to provide added strength of thedoor face from being hit by the end of a halligan tool when forcing thetool to the door (150) during training of forcible entry for a lefthanded inward opening door.

Moreover, the reinforcing bar (154) may be employed to prevent the door(150) from being bent when forcing the door using the Halligan tool atpoints between the door (140) and jamb (103) that are far from theretaining brackets (131) and (152) where the resistive forces aregenerated with a resistance bar inserted through the brackets. A secondreinforcing bar can be disposed on the opposite side of the door (150)in alignment with the reinforcing bar (154) and bolted together throughthe door (150). The reinforcing bar (154) may be welded to the face ofthe metal door (150).

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of components of a forcible entrydoor training apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the removable jambplate (120) is laterally adjustable to adjust the size of the gapbetween the edge of the doors and the jamb plate (120). One or more shimplates (122) can be inserted between the jamb (103) and the jamb plate(120) to decrease the gap between the edge of the doors and the face ofthe jamb plate (120). To provide lateral adjustment, the bolts (123)that connect the jamb plate (120) to the jamb (103) are inserted throughapertures (124) of the jamb (103) (see FIG. 6) that are larger in sizeor shape then the diameter of the bolts (123). The shims (122) can bedesigned with thicknesses to provide adjustability in 1/16 inchincrements, for example, line adjustability of the removable jamb plate(120) allows simulated forcible entry training on “gapping” outwardopening doors with tighter seams between the door and frame.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beaffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A forcible entry door training apparatus, comprising: a baseplate; a door frame mounted to the base plate, the door frame comprisinga first side jamb, a second side jamb and a header jamb coupled betweenupper ends of the first and second side jambs; and a door having a firstside edge and a second side edge; a plurality of hinges attaching thefirst side edge of the door to the first side jamb of the door frame forhingedly mounting the door within the door frame, wherein the hinges aremounted to the first side jamb for slidable motion to and way from aninner surface of the first side jamb and wherein the hinges includesprings that bias the slidable hinges away from the inner surface of thefirst side jamb and which resist compression with sufficient force tosimulate forces that are encountered when attempting to wedge a pry toolbetween the second side edge of the door and the second side jamb. 2.The forcible entry door training apparatus of claim 1, wherein thehinges are U-shaped brackets comprising a front plate that is disposedadjacent the inner surface of the first side jamb, and side plates thatare disposed on each side of die first side jamb.
 3. The forcible entrydoor training apparatus of claim 2, wherein the side plates of theU-shaped brackets are slidably disposed between guide rails on the sidesurfaces of the first side jamb.
 4. The forcible entry door trainingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinges are adapted to hingedly mountat least two doors within the door frame.
 5. The forcible entry doortraining apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable jamb plateincluding a door stop attached to the second side jamb.
 6. The forcibleentry door training apparatus of claim 5, wherein the removable jambplate is adjustable to change a spacing between the second side edge ofthe door and the jamb plate.
 7. The forcible entry door trainingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a a wood block removablyinserted in a recess formed in the second side jamb.
 8. The forcibleentry door training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a firstretaining bracket disposed on the door and a second retaining bracketdisposed on the second side jamb, aligned to the first retainingbracket, wherein the first and second retaining brackets insertablyreceive an elongated resistance member to simulate resistive forces of alocking device to keep the door from opening.
 9. The forcible entry doortraining apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an elongatedresistance member extending through the first and second retainingbrackets.
 10. The forcible entry door training apparatus of claim 9,wherein the elongated resistance member is a length of wood.
 11. Theforcible entry door training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the doorcomprises an elongated steel bar mounted to a surface of the door.
 12. Aforcible entry door training apparatus, comprising: a door framecomprising a first side jamb and a second side jamb; a door having afirst side edge and a second side edge; and spring-loaded hinges thatconnect the first side edge of the door to the first side jamb of thedoor frame, wherein the spring-loaded hinges are biased to maintain afirst gap between the first side edge of door and the first side jamb ofthe door frame, and wherein the spring-loaded hinges are compressed todecrease the first gap in response to a spreading force applied betweenthe second side edge of the door and the second side jamb.
 13. Theforcible entry door training apparatus of claim 12, wherein thespring-loaded hinges are adapted to hingedly mount at least two doorswithin the door frame.
 14. The forcible entry door training apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the apparatus simulates forcible entry on a right handinward opening door, a left hand inward opening door, a right handoutward opening door and a left hand outward opening door.
 15. Theforcible entry door training apparatus of claim 12, further comprising afirst retaining bracket disposed on the door and a second retainingbracket disposed on the second side jamb, aligned to the first retainingbracket, wherein the first and second retaining brackets insertablyreceive an elongated member to simulate a locking device to keep thedoor from opening.
 16. The forcible entry door training apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the door comprises an elongated steel bar mounted to asurface of the door.
 17. A method for simulating forcible entry of alocked door, comprising: wedging a tool between a door frame and a firstside of a door, said door having a second side, opposite the first side,which is hingedly connected to the door frame by spring-loaded hinges;compressing springs of the spring-loaded hinges in response to aspreading force caused by the wedging; and allowing the first side ofthe door to be spread away from the door frame in response to thecompressing.